Mail News Service
Chaibasa, Oct 29: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-sponsored shutdown protesting the alleged police lathi-charge on tribal demonstrators in Chaibasa brought normal life to a grinding halt across West Singhbhum and adjoining areas on Wednesday.
From the early hours, BJP workers hit the streets, raising slogans against the state government and demanding action against officials involved in the alleged police excesses.
The protest was marked by complete closure of markets, road blockades, and traffic disruptions.
In Chaibasa town, key business areas such as Tambo, Sadar Bazaar, Bus Stand, and Shaheed Park wore a deserted look as shopkeepers downed shutters in support or fear of the bandh.
Petrol pumps, local transport, and private offices remained closed for most of the day.
Vehicular movement came to a near standstill on major roads, including the National Highway (NH-320D), where protesters burnt tyres and staged sit-ins at Sonua, Jagannathpur, and Chakradharpur, leading to long traffic jams.
Long-distance buses to Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Rourkela were cancelled as a precautionary measure.
The BJP has alleged that police used excessive force on peaceful tribal demonstrators who were demanding withdrawal of the “No Entry” restrictions imposed in certain forest and mining areas.
Party leaders accused the Hemant Soren-led government of suppressing tribal voices and warned of intensified agitation if justice was not delivered.
While emergency services, hospitals, and examination centers functioned normally, commercial activity, educational institutions, and public transport bore the brunt of the shutdown.
Additional police forces were deployed across sensitive locations to prevent any untoward incident.
Senior administrative and police officials continued to monitor the situation throughout the day to ensure peace and order.
The day-long bandh ended peacefully by evening, but tension and resentment remain palpable in Chaibasa and adjoining tribal-dominated areas.
